WordPress Version Numbers

Amusing thread at WordPress.org about WordPress Version Numbers. This has nothing to do with the fact that the latest stable version number is 1.2.2 and that people apparently opt to ignore the cautions against using the 1.3 – 1.5 "nightlies" — versions that are still being worked on and, as such, are not finalized versions — and then pester the forums for answers to why such-and-such is not working. No, this is in response to Matt's call:

Some enterprising individuals have noticed that the version number in the nightly builds has jumped from 1.3 to 1.5. I've heard a number of interesting ideas for why this is, including …

So, here's my answer:

Matt, in his heart of hearts, wants to emulate Microsoft and Netscape in jumping version numbers. That is, just as Netscape went from version 4.x to 6.0 in order (my guess) to seem "up to date" with other like software out there, and just as Microsoft took Windows from 95 to 98 to NT/2000 to XP and next to Longhorn (like a cattle drive, I guess), Matt too is showing initiative and foward-thinkingness in naming his software. It's the Right Thing To Do, y'know?

-or-

Even though WordPress is not really competing against anyone or thing at all, the headlong rush into constant updates and version numbers ensures me that, now that we have version 1.5, we should be looking forward to WordPress 1.5999986 by tonight.

You're funny. I believe I saw a reasoning for this somewhere on the WordPress forums which states that
so many new features/advancements were made from 1.3 that they decided to change the version numbers to reflect it – hey, it sounded reasonable to me.

It is kinda funny though because I do get confused when I see people asking about 1.3 and 1.5 stuff…my only concern is 1.2.2 and all subsequent stable releases.

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